Godzilla Minus One

Takashi Yamazaki brings us this latest Godzilla incarnation. Set in Japan, at the end of the second world war, we find Kōich (Ryunosuke Kamiki) a Kamakaze pilot, forced to ground his plane at a small aircraft base. It is here he first witnesses the terrifying power of Godzilla. He survives and returns to a Tokyo decimated by war, where he meets a young woman Noriko (Minami Hamabe) and the small child she is caring for. Together they, as the country does, try to rebuild their lives. But when Kōich finds himself working as a minesweeper he also finds himself on course to meet Godzilla again. A creature focussed on destruction and with no government or army to help. The people must tackle the terrifying monster themselves.

In a world of CGI filled monster movies, this was a hugely enjoyable and refreshing change. As a fully Japanese production (which includes it being in Japanese with subtitles) it’s an evocative throwback to all that has gone before. A modern B-movie in all the best ways.

While Its story is built around a battle with a monster, it is much more about its people, people damaged by war, wracked with thoughts of guilt and failure. This is particularly true for Kōich who feels a coward, suffers from PTSD and for him he’s fighting a war that hasn’t ended. Alongside this is it also intelligently explores post war Japan asking questions of it and its war time attitude to its people.

Its recreation of classic Godzilla works really well. Its slow massive emotionless plodding monster . Its B-Movies plot and “on the nose dialogue”. Its fantastic score and sound design, that includes a use of silence that Christopher Nolan would be proud of, this is a fabulous reminder of a bygone era. All done for just $15M

Godzilla Minus One is a wonderfully enjoyable evocative monster movie, far removed from the crash and bash nonsense we are used to. Its look, its brilliant sound and story keep you hooked from first monstrous step to the last. A film with a lot to enjoy. And I enjoyed a lot.